#MaybeHeDoesntHitYou Raises Awareness of Different Kinds of Abuse

Zahira Kelly, an artist and writer, wanted to raise awareness about the various types of domestic abuse, including verbal assault, so she started using the hasthag #MaybeHeDoesntHitYou.

“Abuse is often seen as very cut-and-dry and only physical,” Kelly told BBC Trending. She says she created #MaybeHeDoesntHitYou to help people “suss out damaging situations.”

“It is important to note that domestic violence does not always manifest as physical abuse,” says the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website. “Emotional and psychological abuse can often be just as extreme as physical violence. Lack of physical violence does not mean the abuser is any less dangerous to the victim, nor does it mean the victim is any less trapped by the abuse.”

Kelly started her campaign by providing examples of the different forms that abuse can take:

maybe he doesnt hit u. he just comes home angry at the world& broke& starts putting u down for being a useless parasite whos why hes broke.

Kelly says she had no idea her hashtag would go viral when she started it, but men and women all over the world have joined the discussion and are sharing their stories. Public figures, including actress and writer Mara Wilson and comedian Akilah Hughes, are also furthering the cause’s message.